Lyric Opera Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Here you will find current audition opportunities across the company.

Singers and instrumentalists wishing to receive audition information from Lyric Opera of Chicago or The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center may contact the appropriate administrators as follows:

Dance

Lyric Opera of Chicago to hold dance auditions for The Listeners, Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s opera in its widely anticipated Lyric premiere

Audition date is September 8, 2024

Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions for solo dancers with significant stage experience for its upcoming production of The Listeners, by renowned composer/librettist team Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek. The production will be directed by the acclaimed theater artist Lileana Blain-Cruz, with choreography by Raja Feather Kelly. August Tye is the ballet mistress.

The Listeners is casting one (1) female-presenting dancer and one (1) female-presenting cover for a key role in the opera, embodied as a coyote The choreographer, Raja Feather Kelly, is seeking to audition dancers with a background in modern dance and strong acting abilities. This role will require a significant amount of floor work and strong knee support will be critical.

Kelly describes the dancer character of the coyote as:

The dancer’s character, the Coyote, is a shapeshifter. A mysterious, otherworldly guide into the unknown. The dancer should feel ancient and weathered, as if they have been part of the land forever. The perfect dancer will have an intensity, and the ability to carry a kind of foreboding/ominous energy.

Please note that the top of the costume is open knit and may require some level of comfort with partial nudity.

Dancers of all ethnicities are encouraged to apply.

Rehearsals will begin March 3, 2025, with five (5) performances running from Sunday, March 30 through Friday, April 11, 2025.

The deadline to register for this audition is Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Chicago time.

The schedule for Sunday, September 8 (20 N Wacker Drive) is as follows:

  • 9:00 a.m. - Check in: must arrive by 9:30 a.m.
  • 10:00 a.m. - Warm-up class (mandatory)
  • 11:00 a.m. - Auditions begin

For further information on audition requirements and registration, please email your résumé and headshot via attachment to [email protected]. Auditions will be by invitation only.

Please be prepared to show a government-issued photo identification card to gain access to the audition. All applicants must have valid eligibility to work in the United States. The company will not apply for working permits for foreign dancers.

Artists at Lyric are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists. Should you be hired for The Listeners you will be required to join this union, if you are not already a member.

Orchestra

Enrique Mazzola, Music Director Announces the following vacancies: Principal Horn

Auditions to be held September 24-28, 30, 2024
Successful candidate to start in September 2025

In the 2025/26 Season, the successful candidate may receive:

  • 21-week contract (September – April)
  • Base rate, 30% overscale, and 18% vacation pay to equal $101,600
  • Benefits Package (11.99% Pension; Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Instrument Insurance)

For further information, and to receive audition materials, please email [email protected]

To audition, please send your resume and a $50 refundable deposit to*:
Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra Auditions
Principal Horn
20 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

*Please note that audition times will be granted upon receipt of $50 deposit.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ONLY
Vacancies resulting from the selection of a current Lyric Opera Orchestra member for any position may be filled at this time by any other applicant who advances to the finals in these auditions.


If you are interested in being considered for Lyric Opera of Chicago's "substitute" musicians list, you may send your résumé at any time.

If you would like to be considered as a substitute musician, or would like more information regarding the open position(s) within the orchestra, please email [email protected] with inquiries.

Chorus

There are no chorus auditions currently scheduled.

Lyric Unlimited auditions

There are no Lyric Unlimited auditions currently scheduled.

Music staff

Lyric Opera of Chicago's music staff consists of cover conductors, répétiteurs, and prompters. If you you like to be considered for a position on Lyric Opera's music staff, please email your résumé and references to [email protected]. If you are interested in cover conducting and have conducting reels available to you, please be sure to include them.

Alternate contact information is:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Music Staff Auditions
20 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

Musical theater

There are no musical theater auditions currently scheduled.

Seasonal artists

Some productions may require individuals with special talents to perform on stage, including:

  • Ballet
  • Children's Chorus
  • Supernumeraries ("extras")
  • Actors

Auditions for these roles are conducted on an "as needed" basis only; to find out about current/upcoming opportunities, please call the Audition Hotline at 312.827.3548. 

Solo artists

Lyric grants auditions for principal roles to professional opera singers on an invitation-only basis. The artist's management should email [email protected] with requests for an audition.

 

Supernumerary auditions

To obtain an information packet about becoming a supernumerary at Lyric Opera of Chicago, please send your information to Bill Walters, super captain, at [email protected].

For additional information, please call the supernumerary hotline at 312.827.3538.

Ryan Opera Center auditions

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is not currently accepting applications. Learn more about Ryan Opera Center auditions here.

The National Auditions are sponsored by

Official airline of Lyric Opera of Chicago

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is supported by

Photo: Todd Rosenberg